‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord’
Topping up your oil & trimming your wick September 2026
There was a tombstone which had the following inscription; My dear friends as you pass by, as you are now, so once was I, as I am now, you soon must be, prepare yourself to follow me. Then scratched on a nearby stone was this response; To follow you I’m not content, until I know which way you went.
What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of the grave? Selah! Psalm 89:48
Selah means think upon these things. According to world population figures every second 1.9 people die which equates to 6840 per hour or 164,160 people every day or over 59 million people every year. So where do all these people go after they have left this life?
God’s Word, the Bible declares there are only two eternal destinations after death – Heaven or Hell.
People like the thought there is a heaven; such a conviction brings hope and comfort, it speaks of rest, peace and release into a wonderful future, the destiny of all born again believers. Heaven will be a place of joyous reunions for those in Christ, we will be with our Lord Jesus forever more, enjoying unimaginable pleasures in His presence, just like Adam and Eve when they walked with God in the cool of the day.
People do not like to think there is a hell or the thought of being punished for all eternity, many deny the existence of such a place while others twist the Scriptures claiming the words used for destroyed or perish [2 Thess 1:9, John 3:16] means hell is a place of annihilation, that is not the true teaching of Scripture. For example: A car catches on fire, then is described as being destroyed, pictures show it still has a frame, doors, and side mirrors hanging limp with the engine exposed, but still intact, though completely burnt black. It was destroyed but did not cease to be. So it is, with unbelievers in hell.
The punishment of hell described in Scripture for the unsaved is as “eternal and unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12, 25:41), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where the worm does not die” (Mark 9:48), a place of “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth [Matthew13:42] a place of “burning sulphur” where “the smoke of one’s torment will rise forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10–11/ 20:10). In Mathew 25 Jesus is speaking of the separation of the goats and sheep at His Second Coming and this is what He declares in verse 46 Then they [goats] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous [sheep] to eternal life. It is clear, punishment in hell, is just as everlasting, as life in heaven. Jesus spoke of hell using the word Gehenna, a valley outside Jerusalem, where the filth and rubbish of the city was dumped with a fire burning continuously, a picture of eternal judgment.
There are also degrees of punishment in hell. Jesus told a parable of the master who went away and put his servant in charge and if that servant abuses his master’s property we read this outcome. in Luke 12:46-48
The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
This Scripture teaches some will face greater consequences than others in hell. The more light one has of the GOSPEL TRUTH of JESUS the greater one’s responsibility before God with what you one has done with it.
In John 5:29 Jesus taught of two resurrections, two different fates facing mankind, the resurrection to life [1st resurrection] and the resurrection to judgment [2nd resurrection]. These two events differ in timing, participants, and eternal outcome. Christians, upon our resurrection at the rapture we will face a judgment at the Bema seat of Christ [2 Cor 5:10 / 1 Cor 3:13f], but this is not for salvation, it will be a judgment upon our works done in the body, then golden crowns will be given out as rewards for our works surviving the test of fire.
The unsaved will be resurrected to face the Great White throne of Judgment [Rev 20:11-15] and books will be opened and unbelievers will be judged according to their works to determine the degree of punishment upon their sin and the outcome…if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire [Rev 20:15]
Yes, hell is real, a place of unbearable torment and punishment lasting for eternity. What waits beyond the grave for the unbeliever is a horrific and terrifying destination. But there is good news. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life…Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. [John 3:16, 36] Acts 4:12 declares this of Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. The truth of hell should motivate all Christians to share the good news of Jesus Christ, praying fervently for the unsaved. We all live for Eternity, it is just a case of where – Heaven or Hell.
Greg and Judy’s Update: While we are still waiting for the repairs to our motorhome to be completed we have had the opportunity to do some more local speaking which has been encouraging and the message has been well received. Having said that we should say there are many closed doors as some Church leaders consider Bible Prophecy to controversial or not relevant to their church program, having no place for it. Though God has always made a way, where there is no way, for His work through Timeline Ministries and the proclamation of His Word to continue going forth.
We value your faithful prayer support, letters of encouragement and sharing. We are thankful for the financial support which is also given. Every gift is greatly appreciated and is used in the work of furthering God’s Kingdom. We give our Almighty God all the glory, praise and honour.
Prayer Points: We are now in our 22nd year of full-time itinerant ministry and we praise God for His grace and faithfulness. We know many of our prayer warriors have travelled with us for all that time, others have joined us along the way and a number have been called home to glory. We look forward to our ongoing journey together as we co-labour for the work of God’s Kingdom as changes in this world continue to escalate around us every day.
A suggested prayer for Israel. Heavenly Father, we lift up Israel to You. May Your peace dwell within her borders, and may Your protection surround Jerusalem. Bring unity, blessing, and spiritual awakening to Your people. Let Your purposes be fulfilled, and may your name be glorified as we lift the upcoming Israeli elections taking place on the 27th October 2026 before you.
Jesus declared: Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:12-13